Talking Toddlers

Erin Hyer
  • 4.6 (52)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Calm, developmentally grounded guidance for moms of babies and toddlers. As a mom of a baby or toddler, it can feel like everyone has an opinion - and very few answers that actually make things clearer. The noise is loud. The pressure is real. And the uncertainty can be exhausting. Talking Toddlers is a podcast for moms who want calm, trustworthy, developmentally grounded guidance - without fear, guilt, or unrealistic expectations. I’m Erin Hyer, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 35 years of experience supporting young children and their families. I’ve spent my career on the floor with toddlers, partnering with parents, consulting with early educators, and training graduate students to understand how children truly grow, learn, and communicate - through relationships, everyday routines, and meaningful language experiences. This podcast breaks down how the young brain learns, why certain behaviors or challenges show up, and how parents can gently support development before small concerns become bigger ones. I believe parents are in a powerful position — not to do more, but to understand more. Each episode offers: Practical, real-life strategies you can use during everyday routines Gentle explanations of the why behind toddler behavior and development Supportive conversations that help you feel less alone and more confident My goal is simple: to help moms feel empowered and toddlers feel supported - so learning, communication, and connection can grow naturally at home. New episodes of Talking Toddlers are released weekly.  This is a space for clarity, connection, and courage - where moms come to slow down, trust themselves, and support their child’s development with confidence.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Your Toddler Isn’t Listening Yet (And What Actually Builds It) Ep 141

    Send us a text If you’ve ever wondered “Why won’t my toddler listen?” — this episode is for you. Many parents assume listening is a behavior problem. But developmentally, listening is a brain skill — one that takes time, guidance, and the right conditions to grow. In this episode, Erin Hyer — a speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of early intervention and real-life experience — explains why toddlers often can’t listen yet, even when they seem capable in other ways. And why yelling, repeating, or getting firmer usually backfires. You’ll learn: Why listening is not the same as obedienceHow regulation, receptive language, and shared attention all affect listeningWhy cooperation comes before talking — not the other way aroundWhat parents often miss when toddlers appear “defiant”How everyday moments (not techniques) build listening skills over timeErin also walks through practical, brain-based strategies that support listening and understanding, including: Turn-taking and shared engagementIncluding toddlers in everyday choresExplaining the “why” to build comprehensionUsing simple choices to reduce overwhelm and increase cooperationThis episode isn’t about quick fixes or lowering expectations. It’s about understanding what your toddler’s brain is capable of right now — and how to guide them toward what comes next. Because listening is built. Understanding comes first. And parenting was never meant to be done alone. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Get Your Toddler Talking: 3 Daily Routines That Build Real Words ✨ LIVE PARENT WORKSHOP — February 13, 2026 If you’ve ever wondered “Am I doing enough?” or “Am I missing something important?” — this workshop will help you feel more grounded and confident. 👉 Learn more and register here: [Workshop Link Here] If you want clarity, confidence, and a practical plan to support your child’s communication from infancy through 30 months… you’ll want to be there. ======== DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com  🌐 www.HyerLearning.com

    57 min

  2. JAN 27

    Why Some Toddlers Struggle to Talk (And What Actualy Helps) Ep 140

    Send us a text If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, you may feel pressure to do more - talk more, label more, teach more. But after 35 years in early intervention, I’ve learned something important: speech doesn’t grow from more words. It grows from slow moments, shared attention, movement, and being included in everyday life. In this episode, I walk you through 5 common patterns I see over and over again when language is slow to emerge - not to create fear or blame, but to help you see what’s been hiding in plain sight. We’ll talk about: Why passive input doesn’t replace real interactionThe difference between parentese and silly baby talkHow over-reliance on “helpful” tools can quietly limit developmentWhy understanding matters more than words at firstAnd why waiting too long can change a child’s developmental trajectoryThis conversation isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, timing, and making small, meaningful shifts while the brain is still wide open to change. You’re not just filling time - you’re shaping a brain, body, and nervous system every day. 📥 Free resource: 🌟 The Top 10 Essential Skills Every Baby Needs Before Talking 🌟 Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases If you’re ready to move beyond milestones and into meaningful support, you’re in the right place. 👉 Book a Discovery Call These are FREE, one-to-one conversations designed to help determine what to focus on first - and whether a focused 6-week parent coaching format would be helpful for your family at this time. Not evaluations, not therapy - just space to reflect and be heard. There’s no pressure and no obligation.  email:   contact@HyerLearning.com Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

    56 min

  3. JAN 20

    You’re Not Behind (Yet) — This Matters More Than Words Ep 139

    Send us a text If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, this episode is for you. Many parents worry about words — how many, how clear, how often. But long before speech shows up reliably, something else is being built underneath. In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of experience — explains what actually matters before words take off, and why so many well-intentioned parents miss it in today’s busy, overstimulating world. You’ll learn: Why talking and understanding develop together — but don’t always show up evenlyWhat’s really happening in your child’s brain when language feels “slow”How listening, regulation, rhythm, and play create the conditions speech grows out ofWhy modern life quietly works against development — and what parents can do upstreamHow to support strong foundations without pressure, panic, or labelsThis episode isn’t about diagnosing your child. It’s about helping you see what matters first — so you don’t wait too long, and you don’t worry too soon. If you’re ready to move beyond milestones and into meaningful support, you’re in the right place. 👉 Book a Discovery Call 📥 Free resource: The Top 10 Essential Skills Every Baby Needs Before Talking Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

    27 min

  4. JAN 13

    Why Asking “What’s This?” Often Backfires With Late Talkers Ep 138

    Send us a text If your toddler isn’t talking much yet, you may have found yourself asking, “What’s this?” — hoping to hear a word. But for many late talkers, that well-intentioned question quietly shuts things down. In this episode, Erin Hyer — speech-language pathologist with over 35 years of clinical and real-life experience — explains why asking for words too early can work against development, and what actually helps toddlers feel ready to communicate. You’ll learn: Why silence doesn’t mean your child won’t talk — just that the foundations are still formingThe difference between 'testing' and participating in early communicationThe five key areas that support speech before words appearHow attention, imitation, play, daily rhythms, and nervous system regulation all shape language developmentThis episode isn’t about doing more or pushing harder. It’s about creating the conditions that make communication feel safe, comfortable, interesting, and worth the effort. 🎧 You’ll also hear a simple metaphor that reframes speech development — and reminds parents why patience, presence, and trust matter more than pressure. 📥 Free resource mentioned: The Top 10 Essential Skills Every Baby Needs Before Talking 🔗 Discovery Calls: Looking ahead  As we move into the new year, I offer Discovery Calls for parents of babies & toddlers. These are free, one-to-one conversations designed to help determine whether a focused 6-week parent coaching format would be helpful for your family at this time. Not evaluations, not therapy - just space to reflect and be heard. There’s no pressure and no obligation.  January is now open, and you’ll find the details here: 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child.

    39 min

  5. JAN 6

    Why Parenting Feels Harder Than You Thought (And What Actually Helps) Ep 137

    Send us a text Many parents enter early parenthood expecting exhaustion — but not the constant feeling of being on edge, unsure, or reactive, even when they’re trying their best. In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we take a step back from tips and tactics and look at what often gets missed in conversations about parenting young children: where we place our effort matters just as much as how much effort we give. Through real-life stories and a prevention-first lens, Erin explores how everyday rhythms — including sleep, food, play, movement, and pace — quietly shape a child’s behavior, attention, learning, and emotional regulation. Rather than encouraging parents to do more, this conversation focuses on becoming more intentional — starting in the places that support a child’s nervous system and create steadiness for the whole family. If parenting feels harder than you expected, this episode is designed to help you understand why — and to offer a calmer, clearer starting place. 🔗 Discovery Calls: Looking ahead  As we move into the new year, I offer Discovery Calls for parents of babies & toddlers. These are free, one-to-one conversations designed to help determine whether a focused 6-week parent coaching format would be helpful for your family at this time. Not evaluations, not therapy - just space to reflect and be heard. There’s no pressure and no obligation.  January is now open, and you’ll find all the details here: 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com  🌐 www.HyerLearning.com Thank you for being here — and for caring so deeply about your child’s well-being.

    26 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    What Actually Matters in the First 3 Years (35 Years of Perspective) Ep 136

    Send us a text After more than 35 years of sitting on floors with babies and toddlers - and walking alongside thousands of mothers - I’ve learned something that still surprises people. The children who thrive in the first three years aren’t raised by parents who do everything “right.” They’re raised by adults who stay in sync — who notice, respond, and adjust in real time. In this final episode of the year, I’m not offering a checklist or another set of milestones to track.  I’m sharing three anchors that have held steady across decades of real families and real development — long before social media, parenting trends, or performance pressure entered the picture. In this episode, we explore: Why attunement and rhythm matter more than rigid schedules How language grows best inside real life, not through testing or pressure Why the brain grows through the body, and how movement and sensory integration shape regulation, attention, and speech What stress, cortisol, and nervous-system overload actually look like in babies and toddlers Why looking away can help a child listen better - and what we’ve misunderstood for years If you’re feeling overwhelmed by noise, advice, or expectations - this episode is an invitation to slow down, zoom out, and reconnect with what truly supports your child’s growth. You’re not behind. You’re just surrounded by noise. 🔗 Discovery Calls: Looking ahead  As we move toward the new year, I offer Discovery Calls for parents of babies & toddlers. These are free, one-to-one conversations designed to help determine whether a focused six-week parent coaching format would be helpful for your family at this time. Not evaluations, not therapy - just space to reflect and be heard. There’s no pressure and no obligation. January is now open, and you’ll find all the details here: 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com  🌐 www.HyerLearning.com Thank you for being here — and for caring so deeply about your child’s well-being.

    1 hr

  7. 12/23/2025

    If Christmas Feels Like Too Much, You’re Not Doing It Wrong Ep 135

    Send us a text If Christmas feels overwhelming - for you or your toddler - you’re not imagining it. And you’re not doing anything wrong. For babies and toddlers, the holiday season brings more noise, more stimulation, more people, more stuff, and disrupted routines - often all at once. Little nervous systems aren’t built to manage that kind of overload, even when everything looks joyful from the outside. In this episode, I explain why Christmas can feel like “too much” for young children, and how understanding early brain development can help you release guilt, lower expectations, and protect what matters most.  We’ll talk about how toddlers actually process experiences, what they truly remember, and why simplicity and rhythm are not only enough - they’re protective. You’ll also hear real-life stories from my clinical work and motherhood, along with gentle permission to keep Christmas simple for your little ones while still enjoying meaningful connection as a family. This episode isn’t about doing more. It’s about understanding what your child needs — and giving yourself permission to rest there. In this episode, we cover: Why Christmas can overwhelm babies and toddlersHow young children’s brains process stimulation and memoryWhat toddlers actually remember from holidays (and what they don’t)Why fewer toys and simpler routines support regulationHow to prevent post-holiday dysregulation and sleep disruptionPermission to give your child a touch of Christmas - without the layers and pressureLooking ahead: Discovery Call - for parents of babies & toddlers As we move toward the new year, I also share a brief note about Discovery Calls - free, one-to-one conversations designed to help determine whether a focused six-week parent coaching format would be helpful for your family at this time. There’s no pressure and no obligation. January is now open, and you’ll find all the details here: 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call -------------------- 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com  🌐 www.HyerLearning.com Thank you for being here — and for caring so deeply about your child’s well-being.

    30 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Your Toddler Doesn’t Need a Bigger Christmas - They Need a Calmer One Ep 134

    Send us a text Christmas can feel heavy for moms of babies and toddlers - full of pressure, expectations, and the fear of getting it wrong. In this episode of Talking Toddlers, we talk about why a simpler, calmer Christmas is often exactly what young children need - and how choosing less can create more connection, regulation, and meaning for your family. You don’t need more information - you need clarity, support, and a simple way forward. Talking Toddlers is here to help you slow down, understand what’s developmentally normal, and focus your energy where it truly matters. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations designed to support both you and your child. You’re doing more right than you realize. If you’re looking for more personalized support, you’ll find details about Erin’s email community, free resources, and Discovery Calls in the description below. ===== Discovery Call — for parents of babies & toddlers If you’re wondering whether you’re overthinking something — or missing something — this short Discovery Call is a place to pause and get oriented. 👉 Start here to request a Discovery Call ========= 🌟 Join the Inside Talking Toddlers community for exclusive deep dives and get Erin’s free guide: Top 10 ESSENTIAL Skills For Talking. CLICK HERE FOR: Building Vocabulary: Single Words to 2-Word Phrases Because the little years are the big years. ===== Disclaimer:  This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician or a qualified health provider with questions about your child’s development or health. The views shared are based on Erin Hyer’s professional experience and are intended to support informed parenting, not to replace individual consultation or care. Every child and family is unique — please use your discretion and consult trusted professionals when making decisions for your child. 📩 Questions: contact@HyerLearning.com  🌐 www.HyerLearning.com

    20 min
See All (141)

4.6
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Calm, developmentally grounded guidance for moms of babies and toddlers. As a mom of a baby or toddler, it can feel like everyone has an opinion - and very few answers that actually make things clearer. The noise is loud. The pressure is real. And the uncertainty can be exhausting. Talking Toddlers is a podcast for moms who want calm, trustworthy, developmentally grounded guidance - without fear, guilt, or unrealistic expectations. I’m Erin Hyer, a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 35 years of experience supporting young children and their families. I’ve spent my career on the floor with toddlers, partnering with parents, consulting with early educators, and training graduate students to understand how children truly grow, learn, and communicate - through relationships, everyday routines, and meaningful language experiences. This podcast breaks down how the young brain learns, why certain behaviors or challenges show up, and how parents can gently support development before small concerns become bigger ones. I believe parents are in a powerful position — not to do more, but to understand more. Each episode offers: Practical, real-life strategies you can use during everyday routines Gentle explanations of the why behind toddler behavior and development Supportive conversations that help you feel less alone and more confident My goal is simple: to help moms feel empowered and toddlers feel supported - so learning, communication, and connection can grow naturally at home. New episodes of Talking Toddlers are released weekly.  This is a space for clarity, connection, and courage - where moms come to slow down, trust themselves, and support their child’s development with confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Hyer
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Talking Toddlers
  • Show Website
    Talking Toddlers

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